Punter plunges on Ketchum treble

A MYSTERY punter has plumped for a high-risk and long-term investment by staking £10,000 at 14-1 on Black Jack Ketchum to win the next three Ladbrokes World Hurdles.

The bet was taken in cash at a Ladbrokes shop in Oxfordshire at lunchtime, but the high-roller will have to wait until March 2009 to collect his £150,000 if Jonjo O’Neill’s star comes good.

No horse has achieved such a feat in history but Black Jack Ketchum has not been beaten in eight races so far and is already 4-5 to win his first stayers’ crown at Cheltenham. The special bet price was immediately cut to 12-1. The firm’s spokesman David Williams said: “We raised eyebrows when we only offered 14-1, but we’re making no apologies now.